'Mystery prize vending machines' a form of public lottery

[Jman888]

like tikam?

Operating mystery prize vending machines is illegal: Singapore police

Editorial Team

Yahoo News Singapore16 August 2018

 

 

 

A mystery prize vending machine operated by Heybox at NEX. PHOTO: Screenshot from YouTube

 

While they are a common sight in shopping malls such as NEX, Bugis Junction and White Sands as well as pasar malaams, police are warning that operating vending machines that dispense random mystery prizes upon receipt of cash payments is illegal.

 

This is because the machines are considered a form of public lottery. Users typically fork out $10 for a mystery box, which usually contain items such as USB chargers but can supposedly contain prizes such as the iPhone X, XBox and PlayStation.

 

In a statement on Thursday (16 August), a police spokesperson said that this is an offence under Section 5(a) of the Common Gaming Houses Act.

 

“Existing merchants operating such vending machines are advised to cease these operations. Police will take enforcement actions against merchants who continue to contravene the law,” said the police spokesperson.

 

Any person found guilty may be fined between $20,000 and $200,000 and jailed up to five years.

 

In response to queries, Heybox Vending owner Rebecca Chan told Yahoo News Singapore that they had been notified by the police and had stopped operating its 15 machines. “We are still thinking of plans to move forward,” said Chan.

 

Yahoo News Singapore has reached out to other operators of mystery prize vending machines for comment.

 

 

 

[Vratenza]

No wonder cannot find tikam tikam at mama shop anymore.... 

 

Have to pay ah gong tax if want to gamble for toys.. 

[13177]

 

like tikam?

 

 

You mean tikam tikam is illegal? Last time play so many tikam tikam at mama shop.

[ChaosMyth]

In a news statement, the police said they are aware some merchants are operating such machines in public areas, which dispense random prizes upon receipt of cash payment. 

"As this is a form of public lottery, it is an offence under Section 5(a) of the Common Gaming Houses Act," they added.

 

public lottery? sometimes our officials issue funny public statements.. life in singapore sure is stressful. 

this trend has been around for so long now then the police catch onto it. is it because can't tax them? 

theres a shop at KSL selling surprise boxes. pay a certain amount of money n stand a chance to win certain items.

quite surprised at the idea.

 

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/mystery-vending-machines-a-form-of-public-lottery-merchants-told-to-stop-operations-police?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&xtor=CS1-10#Echobox=1534394307

 

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-police-warn-merchants-operating-mystery-prize-vending-machines-052225713.html

[Jman888]

$10 can buy 4D and ToTo, the winning can be much more than an iPhone or Xbox.

 

I think some kids will spend their pocket money to try their luck.

[Tkseah]

Maybe they will also ban kinder surprise egg ??

[Enye]

kids good life and atas nowadays.  play high tech machine tikam

 

last time i don't eat at recess then go play pull paper type tikam ran by kachang puteh man just outside the school gate

 

[Lala81]

I saw this last year in tampines one. 

Me and my wife were examining this machine for like 5 mins cos we were intrigued by the concept (anyway our kids were playing some kiddy rides beside it so just kill time)

 

I was convinced that sure go bust in a shot period of time. Quite surprised that anyone would want to tikam for something unless it's a gift item.

Was quite surprised that anyone would want to "tikam".

[Jman888]

Maybe they will also ban kinder surprise egg ??

 

 

kinder chocolate is THE main product, not the surprise egg, but then the children will only focus on the egg    

[Kusje]

No wonder cannot find tikam tikam at mama shop anymore.... 

 

Have to pay ah gong tax if want to gamble for toys.. 

 

gambling is bad!

 

but not when ah gong allows it

[Jman888]

I saw this last year in tampines one. 

Me and my wife were examining this machine for like 5 mins cos we were intrigued by the concept (anyway our kids were playing some kiddy rides beside it so just kill time)

 

I was convinced that sure go bust in a shot period of time. Quite surprised that anyone would want to tikam for something unless it's a gift item.

Was quite surprised that anyone would want to "tikam".

 

 

big sweep? also a tikam 

[Lala81]

big sweep? also a tikam 

 

i dunno. maybe cos it's for younger kids, so i couldn't see the appeal.

But $10/try seemed a bit steep.

everytime i drive past the sg pools outlet between me and my in law's place. i also wonder why so long queue...

[Carbon82]

Since paying for something unknown to buyer is considered as tikam, what about the appointment of minister, CEO of SMRT, etc. etc. (we are paying for their salary package through taxes, but didn't get to choose who we want, isn't it?) ehmm...      

[13177]

$10 can buy 4D and ToTo, the winning can be much more than an iPhone or Xbox.

 

I think some kids will spend their pocket money to try their luck.

$10 for Tikam indeed a bit too expensive, unless the winning is attractive.

[Kusje]

btw, what is tikam?

[Jman888]

i dunno. maybe cos it's for younger kids, so i couldn't see the appeal.

But $10/try seemed a bit steep.

everytime i drive past the sg pools outlet between me and my in law's place. i also wonder why so long queue...

 

 

Agree $10 is a lot, the chances of maybe 500 boxes with only ONE iPhone, nobody knows. 

[Tkseah]

kinder chocolate is THE main product, not the surprise egg, but then the children will only focus on the egg

The other item can ban is the buddyfight card packs.. Tikam buy a pack can get normal cards or can get rare ones that worth $$..

[Jman888]

btw, what is tikam?

 

 

like a lottery board, you pick one and see what is the prize.